ROWING FINISHES 6TH OUT OF 11 SCHOOLS AT CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIPS

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The Sacramento State rowing squad placed first in all three of its petite finals, and finished sixth out off 11 schools at the Conference USA Women's Rowing Championship Saturday on Melton Hill Lake.

The Hornets were competing in their first-ever NCAA-sanctioned conference championship as Sacramento State joined Conference USA this season. Prior to this year, the Hornets had never been part of an NCAA-recognized conference since gaining intercollegiate status in 1995.

Perhaps most impressive about the Hornets' sixth place showing is the fact that Conference USA is stacked with high major institutions from around the nation. In fact, Sacramento State's final point total of 30 finished ahead of Kansas (28), Old Dominion (27), San Diego State (19), West Virginia (17) and Alabama (9).

Oklahoma was able to win the Conference USA championship for the second straight season and gain the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship after finishing with 62 points, ahead of Tennessee (58), Kansas State (56), Tulsa (46) and Texas (44) to round out the top five in the final standings.

The points standings are determined on where teams finish in the varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four races. Although the Hornets did not qualify for a grand final after this morning's heat racing, Sacramento State dominated the petite final round, sweeping first place in all three races by at least 1.6 seconds.

Already a first team all-WIRA selection and program record holder in the 2,000-meter erg test, fourth-year senior and team captain Jessica Smith added to her collection of accolades with first team all-Conference USA honors today.

After finishing fifth in this morning's heat, Sacramento State's varsity eight handily won its petite final with a season-best time of 6:45.80 over 2,000 meters, finishing ahead of West Virginia (6:49.01), San Diego State (6:52.49), Kansas (6:53.01) and Alabama (6:56.15).

After missing out on advancing to the grand final by less than a second in its heat, the Hornets' second varsity eight raced to a petite final winning time of 6:57.50, finishing ahead of San Diego State (6:59.11), Old Dominion (6:59.59), West Virginia (7:06.80) and Alabama (7:07.30).

The Hornets' varsity four placed fourth in its heat before coming back later in the day to post a 7:48.30 and win its petite final by over four seconds. The boat bested Alabama (7:52.46), Old Dominion (7:55.34), San Diego State (8:06.77) and West Virginia (8:09.66).

Today's regatta wrapped up the 2014 season for Sacramento State in a year where the Hornets seemingly got better each week. In fact, the Hornets' varsity eight posted its two fastest time of the year over its final three races. In addition, just a few weeks ago, the second varsity eight won gold at the WIRA Championships with a season-best time of 6:53.10, which also ranked as one of the fastest times for the boat in school history.

Moreover, the Hornets have reason for excitement for the future as five student-athletes from today's varsity eight will be back next season, and all but two student-athletes from today's second varsity eight return in 2014-15.